Warning Signs or Symptoms

These are common symptoms of oral cancer. If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn't mean you have cancer. You can't know for sure until you go to a doctor and have the area tested.
  • Marks or bumps inside your mouth or on your lips that are white or red
    • White bumps are the most common and rarely become malignant.
    • Mixed red and white bumps are more likely than white patches to become malignant.
    • Bright red patches, smooth areas that often become malignant.

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  • A sore on your lip or mouth that won't heal


  • Bleeding in your mouth


  • Tooth loss

  • Painful or difficulty swollowing


  • Difficulty wearing dentures


  • A lump in your neck


  • An earache


If you have many of these symptoms, a biopsy can be done to test mouth tissue for cancer. This is the only way to make sure you do or do not have oral cancer.